Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle BVD Eradication and Welfare Progress

Bovine viral diarrhoea is a significant immunosuppressive disease whose eradication would deliver major welfare benefits for UK cattle.

Key Facts

BVD virus causes immunosuppression making infected cattle susceptible to secondary diseases
Persistently infected (PI) cattle shed virus continuously and are the primary reservoir
Scotland completed successful BVD eradication and England has a voluntary scheme in progress
Testing and removal of PI animals is the cornerstone of eradication programmes
BVD eradication reduces antibiotic use by improving cattle immune status and reducing secondary infections

Welfare Considerations

BVD eradication would deliver one of the most significant welfare improvements for UK cattle in decades. PI cattle suffer from immunosuppression throughout their shortened lives, and the herd-level immunosuppressive effect of BVD contributes to the welfare burden of multiple secondary diseases.

What You Can Do

Support BVD eradication schemes by testing and participating where available
Advocate for mandatory participation in BVD eradication programmes to achieve national eradication
Ask dairy and beef suppliers about their BVD status and participation in eradication programmes